Shahera decides to retire, unhappy with contract.
Shooter refuses new monthly contract and keen to become coach
KUALA LUMPUR: Shooter Shahera Rahim Raja has put aside her rifle. And it has nothing to do with the pandemic. Her contract with National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) has ended.
The mother of two has been offered a new contract from April 1, with a RM500 monthly allowance, but she was not happy with it.
Instead, she has decided to quit shooting and her target for now is taking care of her children – aged seven and five.
“I had a full-time contract last year for the Philippines SEA Games last December. But after failing to win a medal in the 10m air rifle individual event in the Games, they offered me a part-time contract.
“I am not interested in the part-time contract which offers just RM500 monthly training allowance. So I have decided to retire,” said the Penang-born shooter, who will turn 35 in July.
Shahera has only one regret about her career – that she did not win a SEA Games gold medal despite five attempts.
“The gold medal has been elusive in the
SEA Games but, overall, I am quite pleased with my performance in competitions,” said Shahera, who bagged silvers in the 10m air rifle team event in the 2007 Korat and 2009 Laos Games.
In Korat, she won bronze in the 50m rifle three-position team event but returned empty-handed from Palembang in 2011.
She did not feature in the Naypyidaw Games in Myanmar in 2013 and in Singapore 2015 as she was in confinement. In the KL Games in 2017, Shahera finished fifth in the 10m air rifle event.
“I have 13 years of experience as a shooter and I am interested in being a coach. I also have Level two and three coaching certificates and if NSAM need my services as a coach, I will always be ready for it.
I have 13 years of experience as a shooter and I am interested in being a coach. If NSAM need my services as a coach, I will always be ready for it. Shahera Rahim Raja
“NSAM are focusing more on the juniors shooters as it is learnt that next year’s SEA Games in Hanoi will only see shooters aged 21 and below being allowed to compete.
“Although the age limit is not finalised for next year’s SEA Games, I have decided to focus on my family.
“I have contributed enough to Malaysia in competitions and the focus should be on juniors,” said Shahera.